Sources close to the Vatican have told Catholic News Agency that the motu propio by which Pope Benedict XVI would allow for the universal use of the Missal of St. Pius V may be published after Christmas, while the post-synodal apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist could come in mid-January 2007.

Sources confirmed the recent statements to reporters by Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, who told them after participating in a meeting of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, where the text of the motu propio was reviewed, that the document would come soon.

The declaration would allow the Mass of St. Pius V-- often called the Tridentine Mass-- to be celebrated freely, and do away with the current requirement to have the explicit permission of the local bishop. The motu propio does not address the canonical status of the Society of St. Pius X, the schismatic organization founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

The apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist, according to the same sources, has already been finished by Pope Benedict XVI and is being translated into the different languages in which it will be presented. The document, which sources say will be issued after January 15, reaffirms the Churchs commitment to a celibate priesthood, encourages the use of Latin in liturgical celebrations, and even requests that seminarians learn the language as part of their formation. It will also promote the recovery of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphonic music as a replacement to modern music, which would result in a gradual elimination of musical instruments that are inappropriate for the solemnity and reverence of the Eucharistic celebration.

The apostolic exhortation on the Eucharist, according to the same sources, has already been finished by Pope Benedict XVI and is being translated into the different languages in which it will be presented. The document, which sources say will be issued after January 15, reaffirms the Churchs commitment to a celibate priesthood, encourages the use of Latin in liturgical celebrations, and even requests that seminarians learn the language as part of their formation. It will also promote the recovery of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphonic music as a replacement to modern music, which would result in a gradual elimination of musical instruments that are inappropriate for the solemnity and reverence of the Eucharistic celebration.

This would be very good. With the exception of a very few small traditionalist groups within the Church, I wonder what kind of response they will get from the priesthood itself? How many priests will be willing to learn the Tridentine Mass?

Maybe not many current priests (especially those in the Baby Boomer group who remember the transition coming the other way)... but I have a sneaking suspicion that many a seminarian will be happy to see this news.

It seems to me that we need a concentrated educational effort aimed at reintroducing Latin to parishoners. An art curator tried to start such a group at my parish, but his schedule changed unexpectedly.

It will also promote the recovery of Gregorian chant and sacred polyphonic music as a replacement to modern music, which would result in a gradual elimination of musical instruments that are inappropriate for the solemnity and reverence of the Eucharistic celebration.

Ah, had to break out the dictionary: hoot-en an ny, A gathering, usually informal, at which folk singers and musicians perform for entertainment, or especially when the audience joins in, for group enjoyment.

I have been following this intensely and posted a thread a few days back when things heated up again. It seems to me that this is not as simple as we might wish. Does the Tridentine Missal stay untouched or will it be updated? Is the "fix" temporary until the previous question is addressed or permanent? Unleashing chaos would be a disaster so he must have thought out every move before he began. It is like the Regensburg speech which has been misrepresented to death but which is filled with incredible insights that any scholar can recognize (and will debate!).

I have a feeling the Holy Father wants to get it right the first time. I have been reading Sandro Magister's columns and "Benedetto" tends to speak with great knowledge indicating he is at least "three moves" ahead of anybody else. That may be by virtue of his intellectual prowess and his theologian's mind.

I am ready to wait until it is done right. There is sure to be a backlash and that must be anticipated a priori. I can't see this Pope just letting things get overlooked as his predecessor sometimes did as the heresiarchs disobeyed him with impunity.

Did you note lately (see it flies under the radar!!) that he has been advocating Latin and Chant in seminaries world wide? Is that a coincidence? I think not.

13
posted on 12/15/2006 12:38:16 PM PST
by Frank Sheed
("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." --G.K. Chesterton)

They did that already in the 1964 (1965?) Missal. For whatever reason that too was jettisoned when the current Missa Normativa was released.

That said, I think it would be edifying to the faithful even if they could hear all of the prayers in Latin and be able to follow. I'm not saying that the prayers can't be said sotto voce (Trent anathemized that sentiment anyways), I'm saying that it may be prudent to not say the prayers sotto voce.

When 8 students from my Newman Club went to a Tridentine Latin Mass in the area, the biggest criticism was that they couldn't hear the prayers. They were fine with kneeling and receiving Communion on the tongue (even in a church that had no altar rails), as well as with the Latin prayers and chant and Latin/English Missals even though it was drastically different from what they were used to. To quote one of my friends: "the prayers were beautiful, if only we could hear them."

I have heard mention of a "Benedictine Rite" that would eventually evolve (this may be more wishful thinking than anything else). However, suppose the Holy Father would like to see a development in which the Tridentine Mass and the Novus Ordo eventually merge (giving a Benedictine Rite). I have seen blogs proposing that the Litury of the Word should be in the vernacular but much more august as is now being done by Vox Clara. Then, suppose that the Liturgy of the Eucharist would be in Latin so that it would be comprehensible to anyone, anywhere. Or, suppose in the "Benedictine Rite," many of the prayers said by the priest alone could be said (or chanted) in Latin. I am thinking of the Confiteor, the Pater Noster, etc.

It would seem the long term is to see an evolution which is beautiful and not an imposition which is ugly. The Ambrosian Rite and others still exist so it is not mandatory that there be only one Rite.

16
posted on 12/15/2006 4:04:16 PM PST
by Frank Sheed
("It is terrible to contemplate how few politicians are hanged." --G.K. Chesterton)

I thought I was the only one who remembered that Missal! Yes, it was basically a (good and real) translation of the Tridentine Rite; furthermore, part of the liturgical movement of the 50s and pre-VatII era was an attempt to get priests to say the Mass audibly and correctly.

I wondered how your Tridentine Rite trip turned out, GCC. I know that your kids are not alone, and many people who would be favorably disposed to the content and the poetry of the Old Mass are totally turned off by the fact that you can't hear it, even in Latin. But there are many Tridentine Rite folks who seem to believe that God made the Mass for us not to hear it...I realize that's a parody of their position, but there is definitely a touch of that attitude.

I would love to see a new "Benedictine" Rite, which would take the Tridentine Rite, make a few tiny tweaks, keep some of it in Latin, put some of it in the vernacular, and make it AUDIBLE.

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